Rams fans are entering the 2024 NFL season wondering whether their team will remain a Super Bowl contender after losing their top defensive player, Aaron Donald.
Donald retired after 10 seasons, all with the Rams. The eight-time All-Pro is regarded as one of the best defensive players in NFL history and provided a consistent interior pass rushing threat for Los Angeles, racking up 111 sacks over his career.
Donald's departure has left many feeling bearish about the Rams entering the 2024 NFL season, especially considering that they play in the same division as the reigning NFC champion 49ers.
Even so, NFL fans — and sports bettors — shouldn't necessarily sleep on the Rams in 2024. Sure, their defense figures to be more porous than it has been in wake of Donald's retirement, but Sean McVay's squad should still inspire hope among those looking to back the Rams.
Why? Their offense could be among the best in the league if their top-tier weapons around Matthew Stafford all stay healthy.
2024 NFL RANKINGS: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | Defense
Rams stats with Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Kyren Williams all healthy
The Rams were one of the hottest teams in the NFL down the stretch of the 2023 season. They went 7-1 over their final eight games of the campaign, and their dominance was largely thanks to their offense's performance.
Los Angeles' hot streak coincided with its top running back, Kyren Williams, returning to the offense in Week 12. He missed five games with a sprained ankle before returning against the Cardinals, and the Rams' offense sprung to life upon his return.
The reason for this is simple. Before Week 12, the Rams had enjoyed just two games where Williams played together with Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Puka Nacua. When at least one of Los Angeles' top-four skill position players was sidelined, the team wasn't nearly as effective, as one would expect.
But when McVay's offense had all four of those players at their disposal? The Rams sported one of the best offenses in the NFL and could outscore anyone.
Need proof? Just look at the numbers when Los Angeles' Big 4 was together compared to how they looked when one of Kupp, Stafford, or Williams was out. (Nacua played in all 17 games during his rookie season.)
| Situation | Games | Points per game | Yards per game |
| All four playing together | 8 | 28.5 | 385.8 |
| At least one of Kupp, Stafford, or Williams missing | 9 | 19.6 | 309.4 |
The Rams ranked ninth in the league in points per game during the 2024 season (23.7) and seventh in yards per game (362.9). Their averages with all four of their top players in action together would have improved to third and fourth league-wide respectively.
As such, it's fair to assume that the Rams will have one of the NFL's best offenses in 2024 — if they can stay healthy. That will be enough to make them a Super Bowl contender in the open NFC, especially if their defense can hold up better without Donald than most are anticipating.
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Rams Super Bowl odds 2024
The Rams have +2500 odds to win the Super Bowl, according to odds from Caesars Sportsbook. That ties them with the Dolphins with the 12th-shortest odds to win the big game.
The Rams' odds rank fifth among NFC teams to win the Super Bowl. They are behind only the following teams:
| Team | Odds |
| 49ers | +625 |
| Lions | +1000 |
| Eagles | +1300 |
| Cowboys | +1600 |
| Rams | +2500 |
Los Angeles' implied probability of winning the Super Bowl is 3.85 percent, based on the odds from Caesar's. That probably is too low considering the potential the Rams' offense brings into the 2024 NFL season.
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